Friday, September 30, 2016

Fleas for Free

Poor fur babies have been exposed to a nasty flea infestation and thus we begin the eradication of the tricksy buggers... They certainly are a pain in the butt!


Mr. Theo has been quite a trooper over his mini vacation with us and Loki has been a dear looking after him and comforting the shy little guy whenever I have company - he's still a bit skiddish around anyone but me.


Baths galore and plenty of flea-combing has been had....and of course, lots of treats for the cooperating doll babies. Miss Athena is also heading to her forever-home and we're already missing her dearly....


Netflix is helping to curb the sting of missing Miss Athena and to cope with the annoyance of the flea termination process... While I know I'll be seeing the little warrior princess quite often, I still can't help but miss waking up to her sweet snuggles in the morning.

xxxx

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Social Butterflies

As mentioned several times before, a healthy work-life balance is key to enjoying life while being a productive member of society {and earning a means to pay the bills}.

Luckily, after spending a near eternity during the daylight at work, I was able to escape {and maintain constant contact with my employees} and spend some quality time with lovely people and join in the celebration of a dear friend.


Feeling more confident, I donned the new wrap dress I had purchased upon impulse during a quick stop to the mall after an interview {sadly, I was not asked back} and before I met up with a friend for lunch.

When you feel confident, rock it and it will follow through. Sometimes a new dress is all it takes to keep the nasty comments and vile words of self-doubt at bay inside the confines of the mind.



Foolish me, thinking my thick brows were on point, but I do believe Mr Kiscadden's take the cake on the brow game.

The night on the town in Lancaster proved to be a much needed getaway, a mini reunion of LVC alum, even more familiar faces than the previous party. Granted, anxiety was a tad high as I fervently awaited the arrival of Chelsea and Elliott, but lessened as the night went on - social anxiety is craptastic at times.

Heels, a bold lippy, and a tasteful, yet sultry dress. Pushing the envelope on comfort level, but worth it for the self-wow factor and confidence boost.

Those squats and eating healthier are paying off ;)

xxxx

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Job Hunting for the Work Fanatics

September has proven another busy month with the continuation of my MBA degree in term II. Managerial Accounting and Business Analytics are not as terrifying and intimidating as I had first thought, especially after taking the prerequisite module for Business Analytics {I barely passed, which is embarrassing to say}.

Working full-time plus part-time while studying and actively seeking new employment is mentally draining, but you have to be willing to put in the time and effort in order to reap the rewards. Stagnation is not an option for career development and goal-seekers.


Crazy times have meant time for a new 'do to change things up just a tad.

Through my experience in the interviewing and hiring process at work, as well as personal experience with current job-hunting and browsing for tips become evident how crucial one's résumé is for simply getting through the door - it's often the first presentation of who you are and what you can do.

And don't forget to ask questions back - the interview is just about seeing if you are a good fit for that particular employee as you are as a potential employee for that company.
Or, you could be like this guy to stand out among the ranks. Everyone needs their own Key Strategic Differentiator {KSD}; it seems like a 4-year degree won't cut it anymore, and so, it's up to the individual to figure out how to shine {and continue to do so once they've been offered, and accepted, the position}.


It can be a bit daunting at times, no joke...


Amidst the chaos of finding my KSD, luckily I have the sweet chickadees at home to provide plenty of snuggles and stress relief. There have been scientific studies granting evidence to lower stress levels and elevated happiness for pet owners. Kittens are certainly gifted at sharing the love.

xxxx

Monday, September 12, 2016

Ex's & Oh's

When it comes to relationships, not everyone can remain on cordial terms with a previous significant other due to the nature of the breakup and/or relationship itself. That being said, I'm at least happy I have maintained friendly acquaintances at least with the guys with whom I was "official," i.e. it was not casual dating, but legit bf/gf labels used.

It's rather strange in that no matter how much time has passed, often the past memories seem as though they were yesterday, a younger version of ourselves remembered as an almost dream-like visionary, quite possibly distorted by our own concept of self rather than reality.

I view friendship as a wondrous thing in life, not to be taken lightly nor to be cast aside so frivolously as a casual summer fling, albeit sometimes we can acquire acquaintances from such when we learn compatibility is simply not there with that individual.

To be in a relationship, remembering how much time and effort was put into it, can take a toll on body and soul when those threads are worn thin, a mere semblance of what it was as the two enter the realm of friendship and leave the romance out of the equation.

It takes a great deal of time {or sometimes not so much} to learn someone's shortcomings and all of the beautifully intricate fibers of their being that it is damn near impossible for them to not leave some sort of etching upon your soul, and you on theirs as well. We learn the good, the bad, and the ugly of someone's character which can often translate well into knowing how they tick as they continue to have you back in the aftermath of a romance that just did not work out.

All relationships, platonic or more, can become life lessons on how we treat others, learn from one another, and also help us grow and learn about ourselves as well.

While some view it as harmful or toxic to be friends with one's ex, I see it as a beautiful thing, provided boundaries are made and kept.



xxxx

Life's a Beach

While not typically a beach-goer, a nice little weekend adventure out of town was just what was needed as a mini break from classes and work, albeit I missed the fur babies while we were away...



We enjoyed a delicious light dinner at Bayfront - as its namesake suggests, it was right at the bay side and offered a sumptuous view of the evening skies and water.



A tad nippy noodles with the light breeze, but an overall gorgeous day for exploring Erie and the Isle, on which my uncle would be running his next marathon. He had lovely weather the following day, unlike Virginia Beach with its low-50 degree weather and 30 mph winds....brrrrrr


I was quite delighted Superman was able to make it out with us this weekend! We were able to meet up with an acquaintance from college and enjoyed a night on the town with Brody who's studying to become a doctor. Good times had all weekend with great people :)


Beach bum life is a desirable temporary lifestyle, if only for a day or two.


This weekend proved monumental in a sense for me - a personal accomplishment. Self-conscious and often with low self-esteem, I went outside of my comfort zone and donned a bikini {in public} for the first time in 3 years. As crazy and silly as it may seem, it was a big deal on a personal level...having been unable to embrace my body for what it is for years, I'm beginning to feel more comfortable in my skin, taking measures of better care are a great way to feel better from the inside-out.

I know, I know, this may seem hokey, but I feel it fully-heartedly. Feeling good and letting it radiate outward. Here's to more self-love :)


Superman pulling handstands!


Like every great adventure, it must come to an end and we must return to reality....after we found our way out of the vampire coven.


The best part of coming home is having kitty snuggles waiting for me <3

xxxx

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Makeup 101

At 23, I'm finally beginning to move beyond the basics of makeup.

Walking amide the aisles at Sephora the other day, seeking my favorite mascara {they're real! lengthening mascara by Benefit Cosmetics}, and I simply felt overwhelmed, having never explored much further than mascara, liquid and pencil eyeliner, foundation for spot coverage, cover-up stick for same, and lipstick.

Today I made a big girl purchase of BB Cream, an egg-shaped blending sponge, eyebrow mascara, eyebrow pencil, and some darker highlighting pencil thing {I'll have to check the stick}. Oh, and replenished my liquid eyeliner - wet n wild's black Megaliner as it's super cheap and I go through it so quickly.

Initial thoughts:

  • what is so wonderful about this stuff that sounds like Star Wars-themed boo-boo ointment? {BB cream}
  • what is all of this stuff?
  • I just want to know how to contour
  • {multiple educated google searches}
  • why do women draw on extra eyebrow hairs? why am I?
Got home, attempted...wasn't terrible.



Future pictures may reveal the slow process of learning how to use them...in lieu of that: kitty pictures. Naturally.




xxxx